Several important changes in the West Virginia’s fall hunting seasons for white-tailed deer and black bear are included in the new 2009-10 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary brochure, according to Division of Natural Resources Director Frank Jezioro. The publication is now available at all West Virginia hunting and fishing license agents, DNR District Offices, Elkins Operation Center and South Charleston Headquarters

Hunters and trappers are encouraged to carefully review these regulations due to the numerous changes in hunting seasons, especially for deer and bear hunting, which will be in place this fall. The information also is available online at www.wvdnr.gov.

Among major changes, black bear hunting seasons are less liberal than last year with only four counties open Sept. 21-26; five counties open Nov. 23Dec. 5 during the buck season; and 44 counties open Dec. 7-31. The daily bag and season limit is one bear this year.

There will be a one-week special antlerless deer archery season on private land only in selected counties Sept. 14-19, 2009. Hunters may kill one additional antlerless deer that must be checked on a Class RB or Class RRB stamp.

There will be a one-week special antlerless deer muzzleloader season on private land only in selected counties Sept. 21-26, 2009. Hunters make kill one additional antlerless deer that must be checked on a Class RM or Class RRM stamp.